ADVANCING CLOSENESS

The spirit, attitude, and closeness within this congregation are
encouraging. We want to grow and mature as we increase our effectiveness in
meeting needs. Special needs always will create unique challenges. Our
goal is to be special instruments in God's hands. We seek mature love for
God and each other, not impersonal procedures.

We are growing in our ability to love and care. This is a time of complex
transition in our society. We are beginning to understand something God
knows. People are extremely different. But God wants to save all of them.
And Jesus wants to forgive all of them. And God wants all of them in His
kingdom as a part of His family.

We are establishing new avenues to advance and strengthen closeness in this
spiritual family. One important avenue is our monthly meal fellowship.

In each four Sunday month: the meal fellowship will occur the fourth Sunday
evening. That evening our assembly will focus on singing, praying, and
reading the Bible. Following that assembly, we will meet to eat and visit
in the Family Life Center.

Last Sunday evening's worship and fellowship meal were wonderful! Some of
the small groups chose to come to the Family Life Center following their group
meeting to attend the meal fellowship. The association was great! This
informal setting provides new members and visitors an excellent opportunity
to establish relationships. All of us have opportunity to strengthen our
relationships. We encourage everyone to make it your goal to meet and spend
time with people you have not met or do not yet know.

In each five Sunday month: the meal fellowship will occur the fifth Sunday
evening. That night we will share a "Celebration Evening." It will begin
with a meal that we share before worship. That evening, worship will be
devoted to praise. Everyone, including all the groups, will meet at the
building for the meal and worship. Immediately after a praise assembly, we
will have our "family meeting." The "family meeting" will continue to have
the same two basic objectives. The first is to allow the congregation to
provide the elders input. The second is to allow the elders to provide
information to the congregation. Questions and viewpoints, as always, are
welcomed.

The objectives of "Celebration Evening" are simple: to praise God, to build
closeness, and to stay informed. When a member of West-Ark attends a
"Celebration Evening," he or she will know, "I was part of something
important in the life of this congregation!"